The first month of the year is nearly done. We are at week 3 of the #MFRWauthor blog hop. Again these questions are really making me use my brain power to answer. How much of myself is in my writing?
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Me...I'm a little bit in-between. My last book was probably the most special to me because of how long it took me to get it done.
But if we aren't talking meaningful and we're talking real life stuff like traits, location, quirks, etc well then yeah there's bits of me in my writing.
For one, I have made my setting all the Greater Atlanta area and surrounding suburbs because it's where I am. Not all like takes place in the big cities of NY or Cali. I'm a southern gal writing about other southern gals (and guys).
Other little thing, in my NaNo project I gave the FMC a Yorkie (first time I've done a pet) because I now have a Yorkie. Yes, I have other dogs but I will admit to playing a little bit of favorites with Titan because I've wanted a Yorkie for so long. Plus he's cute and little. Elaine's pet is a female, but still she was inspired by my own pup.
It doesn't stop with just me, I pull things from those around me. Calida's (FMC from book 1 & 2) best friend Macy was loosely based off my younger sister. It was very cool when she read the first book and said she could pick up the bits of her personality. For Calida I used one of my friends people pleasing, non-confrontational personality as her base. I gave Malcolm (MMC book 2) bits from my hubby and bits from above little sister's BF.
One of our topics from last year was where we find inspiration, as you can see I pull from not only myself but friends and family when building my world and characters. Giving them those little quirks and traits found in real people I know and interact with helps me round out my characters so they don't feel flat and boring. At least I hope they come out like that.
How much of yourself is translated into your own writing? Be sure to check out the other authors on the hop to see what they have to say.
Until next time,
~Meka
I totally forgot to mention I use my home state of Indiana as a base, AND I've included at least two pets, a Black Lab and a Pit Bull into my stories. Pets add so much character!
ReplyDeleteYes. Falls into that 'write what you know' category I suppose. This will be my first pet and I'm already excited to have Ms. Priss make her debut. LOL
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You're right pets add character. They can be a solace to the character as much as they are to us in real life.
ReplyDeleteThey do. I love my pets so not sure why I've not put one in my stories before. I'm looking forward to writing this one.
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To answer the question at the opening of your post, Woody Allen says, "Life doesn't imitate art, it imitates bad television." That's a rather profound comment, if you stop and think about it.
ReplyDeleteGreat quote, Ed, and it is rather profound. Sometimes life is a train wreck and sometimes it's like a bad sit com.
DeleteFabulous quote Ed :)
DeleteNice Ed!!! And I agree, especially in the rise of 'reality TV'.
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Meka, I liked that you got all philosophical at the beginning. And you're quite right that all books can't take place in NY or LA. Your pup sounds adorable. I love Yorkies. My niece and I are hoping to adopt a puppy in the near future.
ReplyDeleteLOL doesn't happen often, that's for sure. I'm a southern girl, and wanted to write about other southern girls. I'll let folks that live in NY or LA write about those places. My Yorkie has been a pup I've wanted for a lot of years now. He's spoiled but he makes me happy. Hope you get one of your own soon.
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Meka, I'm a southern girl also, my wips take place in my state of Alabama, whether the town is a real one or fictional.
ReplyDeleteWoo-hoo!!! Look we're neighbors. LOL That's awesome.
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Hi Meka. I agree about including real life stuff. I draw inspiration from my personal experiences. Sometimes it is people I have met, whose character or image has struck me as something I can use to make my fictional character more credible. Usually, I include familiar locations because my knowledge of it enables me to visual my story playing out and hopefully enhance my writing. Also, I find I can be inspired by a piece of information or an event and I will weave it into the story to add more depth. I love my little Easter eggs!
ReplyDeleteExactly! Not a copy, but bits and pieces of real life all mashed together to make one very real fictional character. With quirks and hang ups and nervous habits. I like to give some location so that the reader is grounded somewhat, but don't always go into a lot of detail. I'm bad about that in general. It's best when those little tidbits make it in without you even realizing it.
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Like you, my settings are usually places I've been or where I've lived so they will come across as realistic. I think pets add so much to the story, too. Titan's going to be famous!
ReplyDeleteIt's the best way! I can give an idea of time and atmosphere a whole lot easier if I've been there. I think my next one might venture off to AZ since I've gone there enough, I should be able to get the basics right. Titan will be famous, but as Ms. Priss instead LOL
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I've got a west highland white terrier in my current work ... it's a dog I've always found adorable. I don't have a westie ... but the westie in the story has some of my own moodle's traits :D
ReplyDeleteOh fun!!! That's awesome. My chiropractor has a Weaton (sp?) Terrier and he's a great dog. I may have to write one of those in next based off him.
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